Summerfest - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and ZZ Top, June 25

Though there is still snow on the ground, summer is fast approaching and there is one event that everyone has on their minds – Summerfest. The lineup is slowly but surely being announced and the most recent addition is Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with special guests ZZ Top at the Marcus Amphitheater on Friday, June 25. The Heartbreakers are not new to Milwaukee and have played Summerfest plenty in the last few decades with their most recent stint being July 5, 2008 when they headlined the Marcus Amphitheater. Petty will be promoting his new album “Mojo”.

The Flaming Lips - Riverside Theater, March 21

Announced this week, Oklahoma City natives The Flaming Lips have released 12 shows for 2010, starting mid March in Austin, TX and going through the end of July where they will finish in New York, NY. There are many opportunities throughout this schedule for more dates and possibilities of playing festivals. This will be a great opportunity for the band to show fans how their newest studio album sounds live. Released last year, Embryonic was a great reminder of the bands musical prowess, showing their ability to create raw and highly-conceptual albums that captivate the listener with their familiar psych-rock sound. Fans of The Flaming Lips know their shows are decidedly theatrical and flashy, complete with confetti and front man Wayne Coyne’s trademark giant bubble. Wisconsin fans need to save the date April 21 when the Flaming Lips will be coming to our very own Riverside Theater in Milwaukee for what will surely be a mind-blowing experience.

Jimmy Buffet June 26 Alpine Valley 2010, Rumors

Word on the street is that the parrotheads will be seeing their leader Jimmy Buffett at Alpine Valley sooner than later...Buffett is rumored to be coming to perform on June 26^th . Buffett has been playing Alpine Valley nearly every summer for nearly three decades with the exceptions of 1995 and 2005. I can’t wait to go see the Coral Reefer Band and this will be a great way to kick off the summer right. The parking lot parties and the show are always a blast. I am getting very excited and can’t wait to hear about the official announcement so I can buy my tickets right away for the best night of the summer at Alpine Valley!

Leaving Brew City for Badgers Hockey Classic in Madison

If you’re looking to get out of Milwaukee for the weekend for a little road trip, I have just the event for you – the Wisconsin Badger Hockey Classic in Madison! The hockey games will be on Saturday and this will be an all day event, with the women’s team playing Bemidji State at 2 PM and the men’s team playing Michigan at 5 PM. The event will take place inside of the Badger’s famed football stadium, Camp Randall. A temporary ice rink has been constructed for this special event and on Friday evening, there will even be a public skate available for fans. Hopefully we will get some warmer weather to enjoy this great outdoor event!

Even if you can’t make it out to Madison for the games, you are in luck – both the men’s and women’s games will be aired on the Big Ten network. You can also check out the Badgers online auction for 53 authentic game-issued jerseys that will be worn by the players during the games.